Utah Driver's License Issue Date: Where to Find ISS and What It Means
The issue date on a Utah driver's license is labeled ISS and appears on the front of the card. The Driver License Division issues licenses valid for 5 years for most adult drivers. Here is where to find ISS and what every field on your Utah license means.
Where to find the issue date on a Utah driver's license
On the current Utah license design, the issue date is labeled ISS and printed on the front of the card. ISS stands for Issue Date and shows when Driver License Division issued your current card. Renewing your license resets the ISS date on the new card while keeping your license number the same.
Date fields on a Utah driver's license
- ISS — Issue date. When your current card was printed.
- DOB — Date of birth. Your birthdate for identity and age verification.
- EXP — Expiration date. Utah driver's licenses are valid for 5 years for most adult drivers.
When a form asks for your driver's license issue date, enter the date next to ISS. When it asks for date of birth, enter DOB. These appear near each other on the card and are easy to confuse.
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What does DD mean on a Utah driver's license?
DD stands for Document Discriminator, a unique serial number for each physical card. It changes every time a new card is issued, even if your license number stays the same. Banks, car rental agencies, and identity verification systems use the DD to confirm the card has not been altered.
Restrictions on a Utah driver's license
The restrictions field on Utah licenses is labeled RSTR or Restrictions. If it shows None, your license has no restrictions. Common restriction codes:
- A — Corrective lenses required while driving
- B — Daylight driving only
- C — No highway or expressway driving
- E — Automatic transmission only
- F — Outside mirror required on driver's side
Driving in violation of a restriction is a traffic offense in Utah.
Utah REAL ID
Utah offers both standard and REAL ID-compliant licenses. A REAL ID Utah license has a gold star in the upper right corner. From May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another accepted federal document is required for domestic air travel and certain federal facilities. To get a Utah REAL ID, visit a Utah license office in person with proof of identity, Social Security number, and two documents showing your Utah address.
How to renew a Utah driver's license
Utah Driver License Division offers online renewal at dld.utah.gov for eligible drivers. Utah licenses expire on your birthday 5 years after issuance. In-person renewal is required for first-time REAL ID, new photos, and CDL transactions.
- ISS is the label for the issue date on your Utah license. It shows when the DLD issued your current card.
- ISS is not your date of birth (DOB) and not your expiration date (EXP) — enter the date next to ISS when a form asks for "license issue date."
- If you renewed your license, the ISS date on your current card reflects the renewal, not your original license date.
- The DD field (Document Discriminator) is a card serial number, not a date — do not enter it as an issue date.
How to find your original Utah licensing date
The ISS date on your card shows when your current card was issued, not your original licensing date. To find your original date, request a copy of your Utah driving record through the Driver License Division website or in person at a license office.
Common mistakes when entering your Utah license issue date
- Use the date next to ISS when any form asks for your "license issue date" or "date issued"
- Check the date format the form expects — some want MM/DD/YYYY, others want YYYY-MM-DD
- If you have a renewed license, use the ISS date on your current card, not the date you first got a license
- Keep a photo of your license on your phone for quick reference when filling out online forms
- Renew your license before the EXP date — many employers and landlords reject a license within 60 days of expiry
- Update your address within 30 days of moving to keep your license record current
- Don't enter your DOB (date of birth) when a form asks for the issue date — they are completely different fields
- Don't enter your EXP (expiration date) as the issue date — expiration is when the license ends, not when it was issued
- Don't use the issue date from an old expired license if you have a current one
- Don't enter the DD (Document Discriminator) number as your issue date — it's a card serial number, not a date
- Don't guess the date if you can't read your license clearly — order a replacement to avoid entering incorrect information
- Don't assume the issue date is the same as your birthday — they are unrelated
